ST. PAUL – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is proud to showcase local foods at its state fair coffee shop and is excited to announce one of its new menu items is on the 2023 Minnesota State Fair New Fair Foods List.

The Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, available as a BLT and as a vegetarian entrée, is among the 34 new fair foods announced this morning by the Minnesota State Fair.

The sandwich starts with two deep-fried tomatoes coated with a crust of high lysine cornmeal. Mustard mayo from Lost Capital Foods, lettuce and bacon are added and are served on a toasted brioche bun from The Good Bread Bakery.

“This sandwich showcases the amazing flavor of a tomato just picked from your garden,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “You’ll be able to taste the difference local makes when you bite into the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich or the tomato and lettuce sandwich with sweet corn relish. We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 Great Minnesota Get Together.”

Farmers providing products for the sandwich include Living Water Gardens, Wells; Hidden Stream Farm, Elgin; Pastures a Plenty, Kerkhoven; Prairie Hollow Farm, Elgin; Frisk Fra Boksen, Shoreview; Whole Grain Milling, Welcome, and Seven Songs Organic Farm, Kenyon.

The Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop is located at 1635 Dan Patch Ave., Falcon Heights. The stand is managed by the team at Farmers Kitchen + Bar, led by Executive Chef Kris Koch. Koch, the mastermind behind the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich, also created the Pork Schnitzel sandwich that made the 2022 New Fair Foods List.

Minnesota Farmers Union has had a presence at the Minnesota State Fair since 1953, with a building on the corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street. It became the Farmers Union Coffee Shop in 2003.

The 2023 Minnesota State Fair is Aug. 24-Sept. 4 at the Minnesota state fairgrounds.

About Minnesota Farmers Union

Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org, and follow MFU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Minnesota Farmers Union—Standing for Agriculture, Working for Farmers (www.mfu.org).